Tennessee Tech University honored a beloved late friend, staff member and alumna with the naming of a special place on campus in her memory.

The university’s food pantry – a campus resource providing nutritional assistance to food-insecure students since 2012 – was dedicated Tuesday as the “Michelle Huddleston Memorial Food Pantry,” honoring the life of one of the pantry’s founders and most enthusiastic champions.

Michelle Huddleston was a two-time Tech graduate who served at the university in various roles for nearly 15 years, most recently as associate director of residential life and service learning, until her passing in October 2023. The food pantry was a hallmark of her time at Tech; something she viewed as a “calling,” more than just part of her employment, according to remarks from university leaders.

“Her vision transformed a modest closet into a sanctuary of support, embodying her belief that no member of our community should face food insecurity,” said Tech President Phil Oldham. “The Michelle Huddleston Memorial Food Pantry will stand as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of selfless service.”

Robert Owens, Tech’s senior executive for access, belonging and community outreach, along with Cynthia Polk-Johnson, Tech’s vice president for student affairs, and Alex Garcia, a Tech graduate student and current food pantry manager, also provided heartfelt tributes.

“It feels like such a full-circle moment now that the food pantry is officially dedicated to Michelle,” said Garcia. “Now, no one will forget all the good that she did for us.”

Polk-Johnson praised Huddleston’s “drive, passion, energy and go-get-it attitude,” calling her “a true servant who transformed the student experience at Tennessee Tech.”

Owens recalled the outpouring of support for the food pantry in the weeks and months following Huddleston’s passing, adding that it was “a testament to the incredible belief alumni and donors had for Michelle’s leadership and the mission of the food pantry.”

The dedication ceremony marked the realization of an ambitious fundraising goal for the food pantry. After Huddleston’s passing, the university challenged the campus community to give $25,000 to restock the pantry and secure resources needed to name the facility in memory of its greatest advocate. Golden Eagles rallied to the cause and have now exceeded the initial fundraising goal by more than $2,000 – ensuring the pantry can continue to deliver on its mission of fighting hidden hunger across campus.

Huddleston’s closest confidants on campus, including Sandra Bohannon, Tech’s assistant vice president for health, wellness and wellbeing, say the naming of the food pantry is a fitting memorial to a treasured friend.

“I was so hopeful this would happen, and it’s so well deserved,” said Bohannon. “She will be missed every single day.”

Huddleston is survived by her loving husband, Ray, who also works at Tech, and their three daughters: Kaylie, Madison and Aubrey.

The Michelle Huddleston Memorial Food Pantry is located in Tech Village, the university’s apartment-style campus housing complex, at 910 N. Willow Ave, Cookeville. An auxiliary pantry is located behind the front desk at the university’s Volpe Library.

The pantry gives away an estimated 1,600 to 2,000 items per week. Over the 2023 – 2024 year, clients made more than 4,200 visits to the pantry for assistance. Learn more, including how to donate or receive food at https://www.tntech.edu/foodpantry/.